Memorial Lake State Park’s 230 acres are near the base of Blue Mountain in East Hanover Township, Lebanon County. The park is surrounded by Fort Indiantown Gap, the headquarters for the Pennsylvania Army and Air National Guard.
Hiking at Memorial Lake State Park
2 miles of trails
The open nature of the park allows visitors to take casual walks through most of the park. Scenic views of the lake provide a tranquil setting, especially during spring and autumn.
All hiking trails are easy walking due to the flat and wide stone surface.
Grassland Trail
0.4 mile, easiest hiking
This open, sunny trail wanders through the Butterfly Field. It can be accessed from both Middle Road and Upper Road parking lots.
Hillside Trail
0.25 mile, easiest hiking
Starting from the Overlook parking lot, this walk through the trees ends at the Hillside fishing area.
Lakeside Trail
0.2 mile, easiest hiking
This walk follows along the lake, leading to a grove of hemlocks. This trail also provides areas for picnicking and fishing. The trailhead is located off the Middle Road parking lot.
Overlook Trail
0.6 mile, easiest hiking
Enjoy a view of the entire lake from the dam. This trail connects with Lakeside and Grassland trails. The overlook parking lot has access to fishing and picnic areas and is a great place for photography.
Woodland Trail
0.6 mile, easiest hiking
Meandering along the lake and through woodlands, this trail crosses over Indiantown Run, the main feeder stream to the lake. The trail extends from the Middle Road parking lot to the Lower Road parking lot.
Exercise Course
A one-mile exercise course is in the eastern portion of the park. The course begins and ends at the Middle Road parking area using the Grassland, Overlook, and Lakeside trails.
Picnicking at Memorial Lake State Park
Three day use areas are on the north shore of the lake. Picnic tables and charcoal grills are provided in shady groves, along the shoreline and at areas that provide scenic views of the lake.
Memorial Lake has two picnic pavilions that may be reserved up to 11 months in advance for a fee. Pavilions accommodate up to 70 people and have:
Charcoal grills
15 amp electrical service (with reservation)
Trash/recycling cans
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. Middle Road Picnic Pavilion is ADA accessible.
Wildlife Watching at Memorial Lake State Park
Birders may observe more than 100 different land and water species in the park, especially during the migratory seasons.
Turtle platforms, bat and duck boxes, and the butterfly field also offer opportunities to view wildlife.
Boating at Memorial Lake State Park
Electric motors only
The 85-acre Memorial Lake has two boat launch ramps and an ADA accessible fishing dock. Eight boat racks and 48 shoreline spaces for overnight mooring are reserveable April through October.
From Memorial Day weekend through Labor Day, a boat rental has:
Canoes
Paddleboats
Rowboats
Kayaks
Motorboats must display a current boat registration.
Non-powered boats must display one of the following:
Boat registration
Launching permit or mooring permit from Pennsylvania state parks -- available at most state park offices
Launching permit from the Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission
Pennsylvania Fish and Boat Commission regulations and laws apply.
Fishing at Memorial Lake State Park
The 85-acre Memorial Lake is a warmwater fishery. Anglers can access the lake from shoreline, by wading, or by boat.
A shoreline fishing access area is along Hillside Trail.
This activity or structure is ADA accessible. An ADA accessible fishing pier is in the Middle Road Day Use Area.
Common species are:
Bass
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Yellow perch
White and black crappie
Panfish
No fishing areas include:
Boat concession area through mooring area
Across the dam bridge
Dam breast
Ice Fishing
The 85-acre Memorial Lake is open for ice fishing except for the ice skating area. Common species caught through the ice are:
Muskellunge
Northern pike
Perch
Catfish
Ice thickness is not monitored.
Cross-country Skiing at Memorial Lake State Park
The easy rolling terrain and open nature of the park lends itself to excellent opportunities for short distance cross-country ski trips for the novice and experienced skier.
Ice Skating at Memorial Lake State Park
A one-acre area is available for ice skating in the Middle Road boat launch/mooring cove.
Ice thickness is not monitored.
